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An update from Evaneos
Shaki

Shaki (Armenia)

Practical information on Shaki

  • Mountain
  • River
  • Waterfall
  • Archaeological Site
3 / 5 - One review
How to get there
3hr 30min drive from Yerevan
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
One day

Reviews of Shaki

Nicolas Landru Seasoned Traveller
117 written opinions

A town in the mountainous region of southern Armenia, Shaki is nestled in a sublime landscape and home to the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. The Shaki Falls in the Vorotan Gorge is immense - 18m high and 40m wide.

My suggestion:
You can hike up the River Shaki's valley or, if you want to see the paleolithic petroglyphs at Ughtasar, go by car and stop at Ishkanasar. The site is one of the best of its kind in Armenia and Shaki is right on its doorstep!
My review

The Vorotan region is particularly beautiful. This impressive river in Syunik provides a stunning setting, with magnificent gorges and reliefs that are as craggy as they are arid. On arriving in Shaki, I was as taken aback by the site that the village occupies - surrounding by jagged, dry mountains that stretch as far as the eye can see, with volcanoes, snow capped for most the year, forming a backdrop.

The small town of Shaki has nothing special in itself, but its rural, isolated character is charming. But people come here mainly for its surrounds. First of all, there are great mountain hikes - for example a trek to the impressive prehistoric site of Ughtasar, with its petroglyphs that can be found on Mount Ughtasar (which translates as camel).

Near to River Shaki's confluence in Vorotan, you'll also find the Shaki Falls, one of my favourite natural sites in the country. They're pretty high at 18m, but also very wide - 40m in fact. A number of small streams come together half way up the cliff and form these wonderful falls. 

The Shaki Falls